Rimington wear down Whinney Hill late on

Four second half goals saw Rimington ease past East Lancashire League rivals Whinney Hill on a wet and windy afternoon at Coulthurst Sports Ground.

Both teams, having suffered early defeats in the league, were conscious that another loss would seriously harm their chances of mounting a title challenge this season.

With this in mind, the early exchanges were cagey, with both teams were happy to keep possession without over-committing men forward.

The game burst into life on 20 minutes when a Whinney Hill forward’s glancing header produced a fine low save from keeper James Scriven.

Whinney Hill upped the tempo of the game – a long ball forward was flicked into the path of the forward, and Jonny Lincoln was on hand with a last-ditch tackle.

Rimington’s first attack of note came on the half hour when Oli Devenney unleashed a thunderous shot that cannoned off the bar.

As half-time approached, Charlie Collinge found space on the right flank, fired the ball across the area, and Oli McLean nipped in front of his marker and poked the ball towards goal, but somehow the keeper acrobatically flicked his effort over the bar.

At the break, manager David Cook asked his men to remain patient in possession and stick to the game plan.

But again it was Whinney Hill who came out of the traps quicker in the second period.

With 50 minutes on the clock, Whinney Hill’s speedy forward missed two great chances in quick succession, and Rimington made them pay in the final half hour.

On 63 minutes, Devenney twisted and turned the full back and chipped a pinpoint cross to Ben Allen, who out muscled his marker and fired a header passed the keeper.

Just minutes later Allen’s floated cross found in-form striker Matt Bagot, who headed home from six yards.

Rimington were now in the ascendancy and pushed men forward looking for third goal, and O’Brien rolled his man and played the ball into Bagot’s path, who smashed the ball through the keeper.

With players tiring, Matt Garner and Robert Smith joined the action.

On 85 minutes, O’Brien’s mazy run and cute pass found Smith on the edge of area, and he curled a beauty into the top right corner.

Cook said: “ Our fitness on a heavy pitch was key to the victory – this is down to the hard work the boys are putting in at training.

“Jack Cook was immense, his tireless work in midfield wore Whinney Hill down.

“With O’Brien and returning Allen now, we now look a different animal.”

On Saturday, Rimington are in WRCFA Challenge Cup second round action at Thorne Colliery, Scunthorpe.

The club is running a coach from Whalley Golf Club at 9-30 a.m., contact www.clubwebsite.co.uk/rimingtonfc/Contact for more details.

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